Blame It on Nars Cheek Palette

Nordstrom recently had their Anniversary Sale.  And being I have a Nordstrom Card I got early access.  There were lots of different Beauty Exclusives but, I only picked up two.  One being the Blame It on Nars Cheek Palette ($59).   The mini Ita brush really drew me in and the fact that I don't have any of the blushes/bronzers in the palette.  The packaging on this is absolutely gorgeous! I almost didn't want to throw the box away.  Inside you have a highlight, Satellite of Love, a bronzer, Casino, and two blushes, Day Dream and New Attitude.  Each of these are smooth and creamy with the same quality as full size versions.  

 Comparison of full size Ita and mini Ita 

  Comparison of full size Ita and mini Ita 

I was so surprised to find the mini Ita is softer then the full size Ita!  I might be using that one more. Overall I think this is a great palette to own.  It would be great for traveling and just a great collectable.  This is my first Nars cheek palette and I am pretty impressed. 

Do you own any of the Nars Cheek palettes ??  What do you think of them ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Makeup Bag Round Up

I have an obsession at looking what's in other people makeup bags.  So I thought I'd share whats in mine this exact moment. 

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer 

Tarte Inner Rim Eyeliner

Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil 

Clinique Airbrush Concealer 

L'Oreal True Match Powder

Dior Fluid Stick in Rieuse

Nars Gloss in Priscilla 

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Wildflower

Bite Beauty Matte Lip Pencil in Aubergine 

What's in your makeup bag ??   Send me a picture and you can be featured on the blog!! 

Email me citystyles22@gmail.com 

Love,

City Styles 

Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette {Golden Shock}

Dior released their holiday collection a few weeks ago and this palette was calling my name.  The Dior 5 Couleurs palette in Golden Shock ($60) is absolutely breath taking.  It is a mix of plums, mauves, and golds.  These shades look great on all eye colors.  The shadows are pigmented and creamy.  They blend well.  I usually find that there is a dud in the shadows and this palette is no exception.  The middle shadow just doesn't perform that well.  It is a bit hard for a brush to pick up.  It's easier to use a finger but even so it takes a few swipes to get the pigmentation you want.  The other fours shades are amazing though.  I especially love the top two.  They are great for a smoky eye.  

I really think this palette is gorgeous and overall I am happy with the way it performs.  Right now this is out of stock on Dior.com but you can still find it at Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.



What has your favorite holiday eyeshadow palette been ??? 



Love,
City Styles 

Burberry Bloomsbury Girls Palette {Nude Blush}

Burberry recently came out with a new collection called Bloomsbury Girl for Autumn/Winter '14.  It consisted of six polishes, two palettes, three lipsticks, and three glosses.  I picked up the palette called Nude blush and two polishes, Oxblood and Elderberry.  Today we discuss how gorgeous Nude Blush is. 

Nude Blush ($60) is a beautiful rosy toned quad.  I tend to gravitate towards rose gold and plumy colors like these.  I feel like they pair well with my light skin and blue eyes.  I own a few of Burberry's single shadows and I absolutely love them so, I decided to take the plunge and get a quad. I am so happy I did.  These shadows are very pigmented and so creamy.  They are easy to work with and just a little bit of kick up but, no fall out.  They perform just as well as the single shadows.  The colors also pair together very nicely and are not to similar to the singles I already own. 

Nude Blush compared to Burberry Mulberry and Burberry Rosewood.

Right now the palette seems to be sold out on Burberry.com but Nordstrom and Saks have it in stock. And you can always check your local counter.



Have you tried Burberry eyeshadows yet ??  What do you think ??


Love,
City Styles 

A Night on the Town {Makeup & Outfits} #AriaNightOut

I'm totally not a party girl.  I like to sit at home in my pj's and watch a crazy woman throw her leg on a table but, every once and awhile it is nice to have a night out.  So, of course, the first thing that pops into my mind is what makeup would I wear!  I made a video showing you what I would use but, I'll also put step by step instructions of what I would do.

First up priming the face.  I like to use Makeup Forever HD Primer.  It helps my makeup to last all night and it helps prevent flash back.  I am already very pale.  I do not need to look like a ghost in pictures.  Next up is foundation.  I love the Covergirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous (1) foundation.  This has little or no SPF in it so this will also prevent flash back.  To hide my under eye circles I use the Maybelline Fit Me concealer.  This doesn't crease on me and helps to highlight that area.  Now to set my concealer and to contour I use the Nars Countour Blush (2).  I love the contour shade.  It isn't too red but, isn't to grey either.  For blush I use a neutral pink like Burberry's Blossom (3).  Since I am focusing more on my eyes and lips I don't want too much going on with my cheeks.  Then for my brows I use the Hourglass Brow Arch Pencil (4).  I can't go a day without filling my brows in.  I think it just frames the face so well.  Now onto eyes.  To prime my eyes I use the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Cocoa.  This is amazing.  It does not crease whatsoever!  I blend that out with my fingers and use Urban Decay Naked shadow in my crease.  Then I use Sephora's Outrageous Peach (5) all over my lid.  The mix of the Cocoa and the Peach really makes my eyes pop.  I am not really into the cat eye so I just use the L'oreal Slim Liner (6) to thinny line my lashes.  It makes them look fuller.  Then for mascara I use my beloved Too Faced Better Than Sex.  This makes my lashes look amazballs.  I am totally not a fake lash wearer.  They annoy my eyes so much.  Then to finish off my face I use the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (7).  I just used Dim Light all over.  Then to highlight I used MAC's Definitely Defined (8).  This is my go to highlighter.  And lastly for lips I love a red lip so I am using Rimmel Show Off Lacquer in Big Bang (9).    

  

I thought I would also show you want kind of outfit I would wear out.  First Option we have nice Racerback Tank and these Rag & Bone skinny jeans.   My second option would be this great Red Dress.   I would probably go for option 1 since I am more of a jeans girl.  

Hope you enjoyed this little Get Ready with Me.  Let me know if you like these kinds of posts.

Love, 

City Styles 

*Vegas.com asked me to do a post showing what I would wear for a night out.  I am not being compensated in any form and all opinions are my own.  Plus, I totally want to go to Vegas one day soon! 

La Mer Radiant Concealer {Light}

I have truly gone off the deep end.  I purchased a concealer with a price tag of $70.  Yes you read that right.  And why would I spend that much on a concealer?  Because I am a bit cray and I have a makeup addiction.  And to be honest I love my La Mer powder so much I really wanted to try the concealer as well.  I have been testing the La Mer Radiant Concealer out for a few weeks now and I have some thoughts on it.  

There are three shades in all and picked up the lightest one.  It comes in a nice pouch with a small brush.  I have used the brush to apply it and I have also used my fingers.  Personally, I like using my fingers.  I am able to warm the product up a bit before applying.  The concealer is a cream to powder finish and it can feel a bit dry if you haven't moisturized properly.  I use the Clarins Eye Balm every morning before applying and this really helps.  It hardly creases which I love and it makes my under eye area look very bright and awake.  I use this mostly on days where I haven't had the best of sleep or when I just feel like I need to look more refreshed.  

    

I wouldn't say it is holy grail status yet but, I do enjoy it the more I use it.  And is that hefty price tag worth it?  To me I am willing to try lots of different items for the sake of beauty and letting you all know how I feel.  But if I wasn't a blogger I would probably say the price tag is crazy and never buy it. 

What is your go to concealer at the moment ??

Love, 

City Styles 

Tom Ford Extreme Mascara {DUPE ALERT}

A few months back Nordstrom had their annual buy two get one free mascara sale.  How could you pass up a deal like that?  I know I could not.  So one of the mascaras I bought was the Tom Ford Extreme Mascara ($44).  I have always wanted to try one of his mascaras and this was a great deal so I went for it.  Little did I know it is an exact dupe for my fav mascara, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme ($26).  And I mean exact dupe.  I am not sure if Estee Lauder is the parent company for Tom Ford but, I will investigate.   

  

The brushes and formula are exactly the same.  They leave my lashes looking fuller and longer.  I don't see a difference when using either of these.  So buyers beware you can go spend $26 for the Estee Lauder one or spend $44 for the Tom Ford one.  I am going to stick with my trusty (and cheaper) Estee Lauder.
  

Have you every bought something that is extremely expensive just to realize you have something similar and a fraction of the cost ??  If so let me know !!


Love,
City Styles 

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Set

So, I had early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and the number one item on my list was this Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Set ($110).  I have wanted to try Charlotte Tilbury products since they came out.  Unfortunately it is pretty hard to get them in the US unless you know someone in the UK or you are willing to pay a crazy amount for shipping.  But, a little birdie told me that the Charlotte Tilbury line will be at Nordstrom soon!  I am so excited.  Now back to the set.  I have seen so many of the UK blogger rave about this compact and the brush just looks so gorgeous so it was a no brainer.  When my package came I was blown away with how it was all put together.  Props to Charlotte Tilbury, she really knows how to wow us and this totally makes me want more.  

Now onto the product itself.  I love the compact.  It has some weight to it, which makes me feel like I am getting my moneys worth.  And the fact that it is gold just makes me giddy.  There is also a lot of product which, I like too.  The sculpt part is a nice warm bronze shade.  It isn't to dark and looks really nice on my pale skin.  I don't know if any one who has skin darker then an NC/NW 30 would be able to use this as a contour.  The highlight is a beautiful warm gold shade.  It looks really good on the high points of my cheeks. 

  

Charlotte Tilbury Sculpt compared to Clarins Colour Accent(LE) similar, Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless, and Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder. 

Charlotte Tilbury Highlight compared to Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight, The Balm Mary LouManizer, and MAC Definitely Defined (LE). 

And let's discuss the brush!  It fits in the hollows of your cheeks perfectly and it is also great for highlighting.  If you buy anything for the sale this must, must, must be it!!  It is packaged so amazingly and the product is fabulous.


Have you gotten anything from the sale ??  Do you own anything from Charlotte Tilbury.

Attention to any UK readers - Would you be willing to do a swap with me or maybe pick me up a few items and I can paypal you ??  I am dying for a few Barry M gel polishes and Bourjois foundations.  Let me know!


Love,
City Styles

Burberry Summer Showers Lip Glow Balms & Nail Polishes {Orange Poppy & Pink Peony}

Awhile back Burberry released their Summer Collection.  I was intrigued but, at the time I had many other items I wanted to purchase so I passed.  But of course me being me I couldn't help but think about the collection so I bought a few pieces.  There were three items in all.  The Lip Glow Balm ($28/ea.), the Fresh Glow Blush ($38/ea.), and the Nail Polish ($21/ea.).  I opted to skip out on the blush since I am not really a cream blush wearer.  

So first we have the Lip Glow Balms.  I ordered two out of the three shades, Pink Peony and Orange Poppy.  These are quite on the sheer side, which I like.  Pink Peony is a mellow pink.  It isn't too bright but, still has a nice shade to it.  Orange Poppy is a bright orange.  I don't have much like it in my collection.  I think it will be great for the summer time.  These have a few hours of wear time.  I have heard that if you apply them with a lip brush you can get more pigmentation.  I like a good sheer lipstick so I am happy applying these right out if the tube.  They remind me very much of the YSL Volupte Sheer Candy's. 

  

And then we have the Nail Polishes.  Again I opted for two out of the three shades, Pink Peony and Orange Poppy.  As we all know I love a good coralish and pinkish color.  These polishes are very pigmented.  You could probably go for one coat but, I applied two just because that is what I like.  Orange Poppy is a muted orange that is a bit pearlized.  You can't really tell when on the nails but when the sun hits the bottle you can tell.  Pink Peony is a darker pink shade.  It reminds me more of a raspberry shade.  These polishes last at least three days with no chipping.  On the fourth day I did get some chipping enough to change my polish.  

Overall I really like these shades.  And I totally want to try more of the polish shades!


Have you tried any of these items ??  What did you think ??


Love,
City Styles 

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows {Callisto & Subra}

Nars recently released their Dual Intensity Eyeshadows.  There are twelve shades in all and each goes for $29.  I was in Bloomingdale's the other day and picked up two, Subra and Callisto.  Subra is a reddish, purple shade with a slight shimmer to it.  Callisto is a light lilac, champagne shade with a good amount a shimmer to it.  And when I say shimmer I don't mean wearing a disco ball on your eye lid.  I just mean a sophisticated shimmer that doesn't make you like you think it's halloween.  

These shadows can be worn dry or wet.  If you are going for a more intense look I would definitely use them with some Mac Fix +.  These shadows are long lasting (8 or more hours with a primer) and have great pigmentation.  And they have a cream like texture but go on like a powder.  The go on smoothly and blend like a dream.  I can't wait to get my hands on a few more shades!  I'm thinking Himalia and Dione.       

Have you tried these eyeshadows yet ??

Love, 

City Styles

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

For my birthday Daria took me to Macy's to get color matched to the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light.  She has it and love, love, loves it so, she wanted me to try it too.  The sales associate matched me to Intensity 1.0, which is a light creamy beige.  It looks a little dark but, once it is sheered out on my face is looks great!  Estee Lauder claims this foundation can be worn for 15 hours and keep your oils at bay.  I can't say I have worn this for more then 15 hours but, I have worn it for 10+ hours and it looks great!  I do use a setting powder (La Mer) when I know I'll be out in the heat all day but, if I am just heading to work I skip it.  My natural shine comes through after 5 or so hours of wear but, nothing to crazy.  I love to use my beauty blender with this foundation.  It gives me an overall even finish and has great coverage.  This has been my go to foundation on crazy hot, humid days.  It stays in place all day.  So if you have oily combo skin like my self I would totally check this out.  It has great coverage like a heavy foundation but, feels light on the skin like a bb cream. 

  

What is your favorite summer foundation ??

Love, 

City Styles